Service Procedure
Check/Tighten the Torque on the Front Suspension ComponentsOverview:
^ You will be checking the torque on the following front suspension components and tightening to specifications, as needed.
^ See the appropriate Electronic Service Manual, Section FSU/Front Suspension for specifications on the following:
A. Links.
B. Strut bolts.
C. Member Pin Stays (Support Bracket).
D. Steering rack mounts.
If you find and tighten loose suspension fasteners, test drive the vehicle under the conditions described in the "If You Confirm" section of this bulletin. Determine if the noise is still present.
^ If the noise is no longer heard, this procedure is completed.
^ If the noise is still heard, go to the next step, below.
Measure Clearance Between the Transverse Link Bushing and the Opening in the Suspension Member
Overview:
^ You will be checking for the clearance between the transverse link bushing and the suspension member frame.
^ Too much clearance may be the cause of the noise.
Starting at the passenger-side:
1. Remove the two rear "member pin stay (support bracket) bolts on the passenger-side front transverse link (see Figure 2).
2. Remove the single front "member pin stay (support bracket) bolt (see Figure 2).
3. Move the support bracket down for clearance.
4. Remove the front transverse link bolt (see Figure 3).
5. Push the transverse link toward the front of the vehicle. This will cause a slight gap behind the link bushing and the opening in the suspension member (frame).
6. Insert a feeler gauge into the gap between the bushing and the rear wall of the opening (see Figure 4).
7. Measure the amount of clearance between the bushing and the frame (see Figure 4).
A. If the amount of clearance between the bushing and the rear wall is less than 0.4 mm, it is within specifications.
^ Coat the front transverse link bolt threads with anti-seize lubricant and re-torque the bolt to specifications: 125 - 155 N.m (13 - 16 kg-m, 92 - 114 ft lb).
^ You are finished with this clearance check, now go to Step 12.
B. If the amount of clearance between the bushing and the frame is more than 0.4 mm:
^ You will need to close or 'squeeze' the 'suspension member' (frame) opening.
^ The transverse link bolt will be used to do this.
NOTE:
The frame opening will 'spring back' slightly after tightening. So after each turn of the bolt beyond finger tight, you will need to re-check the gap between the transverse link bushing and the frame opening. You will need to pay very close attention to how much you tighten the bolt.
CAUTION:
Perform the following steps exactly as they are written.
Squeeze (Close) the Front Transverse Link "Suspension Member" (Frame) Opening Slightly
Passenger side:
1. Remove the transverse link bolt.
2. Pull the transverse link down out of the opening.
3. Put the transverse bolt back in finger tight.
4. Mark the bolt head with an arrow straight up (12 o'clock)
5. Then use a wrench to tighten the bolt one turn beyond finger tight.
6. Remove the bolt, push the transverse link back up into the opening.
7. Push the transverse link toward the front of the vehicle.
8. Use a feeler gauge to measure the gap.
9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 until the gap is less than 0.4 mm.
IMPORTANT:
If you are close to 0.4 mm, turn the bolt 3A turn after finger tight instead of 1 turn.
CAUTION:
You must 'squeeze' the frame opening down in small steps. Otherwise, you may close the opening too far. Follow the above procedure exactly or you will not be able to re-install the lower transverse link.
NOTE:
Figure 6 may be a helpful reference. It provides more details about this operation.
10. When the gap has been corrected:
^ Coat the passenger-side front transverse link bolt threads with anti-seize lubricant.
^ Re-torque the bolt to specifications: 125 - 155 N.m (13 - 16 kg-m, 92 - 114 ft lb).
11. Re-install all parts removed in reverse order.
12. Repeat steps beginning at Measure Clearance Between the Transverse Link Bushing and the Opening in the Suspension Member for the Driver's-side front transverse link.